Monday mornings at Lincoln Center feel especially charged this week, as opera insiders buzz over Ryan Speedo Green’s imminent turn as Wotan in the Metropolitan Opera’s much-anticipated staging of Wagner’s ‘Die Walküre.’ Green, a Bronx native whose rise from city public schools to international stages has become the stuff of local legend, recently tested the role’s thunder in Los Angeles under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel. But it’s here, on the Upper West Side, where Green’s portrayal of the god-king will face its most discerning audience.
Last weekend, Green’s interpretation drew raves at Walt Disney Concert Hall, where Dudamel’s energetic conducting set a brisk, cinematic pace. But the Met’s vast, gilded auditorium is a tougher crucible. “There’s nothing like singing for New Yorkers,” Green said at a brief press conference outside the Met on Friday afternoon, flanked by castmates and clutching a cup from a nearby Columbus Avenue café. “You feel every eye, every expectation. That makes you dig deeper.”
Tickets for this season’s ‘Die Walküre,’ which opens in just over a week, are among the hottest in the spring arts calendar, with orchestra seats topping $325 and standing room at a premium. For many in the city’s opera community, Green’s casting as Wotan is more than artistic news—it’s a point of civic pride. “He’s one of our own,” said longtime Met subscriber Harriet Lin, spotted reading the cast list in the lobby on Sunday. “He brings something real and urgent to the stage.”
The Met’s production, part of its ongoing Ring Cycle, arrives just as New Yorkers are embracing the first true warmth of the season. The plaza outside the opera house, alive with street musicians and food carts, has become a de facto gathering spot for opera fans and curious tourists alike. With rehearsals underway and anticipation building, Green’s Wotan is poised to become one of the defining performances of the spring.
As school groups and seasoned operagoers alike file into Lincoln Center this week, all eyes are on the city’s own baritone—and the thunder he’s about to unleash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ryan Speedo Green?
Ryan Speedo Green is a Bronx native and baritone opera singer known for his rise from New York City public schools to international opera stages.
What role is Ryan Speedo Green performing at the Metropolitan Opera?
Ryan Speedo Green is performing the role of Wotan in the Metropolitan Opera’s staging of Wagner’s ‘Die Walküre.’
Where did Ryan Speedo Green recently perform Wotan before coming to New York?
He recently performed Wotan at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles under conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
When does the Met’s production of ‘Die Walküre’ open?
The Met’s production of ‘Die Walküre’ opens in just over a week from the time of the article.
Why is Ryan Speedo Green’s casting as Wotan significant for New Yorkers?
His casting is seen as a point of civic pride because he is a local artist who brings a real and urgent presence to the stage.
Leave a Comment